The Department of Local Government and Housing in Gauteng will suspend the demolition of illegally built structures after coming to a mutual agreement with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) today at the South Gauteng High Court.
The matter follows the destruction of incomplete illegal structures which were built on government land which was acquired fraudulently. Both parties mutually agreed to postpone the matter in court, and to allow dialogue and engagement on this matter in a quest to find lasting solution to this problem.
Both parties also agreed that the illegal construction of houses in Lenasia must stop immediately. Speaking after the court hearing, Head of Department of Local Government and Housing Mongezi Mnyani said that this suspension of demolitions must not be used to aggravate the situation we already have. “Once again, we are opening doors for talks, but whilst these talks take place, let all the illegal construction stop.
The people of Lenasia must co-operate with us as a proof that they too want an amicable resolution to this matter. We cannot negotiate while acts of stealing government land are continuing”, Mnyani said. The HOD further said that the department has put necessary steps to protect all those that want to come forward with information that will help in resolving this rampant problem of illegal selling of land.
The Department of Local Government and Housing has also extended an invitation to the Human Rights Commission to join the visit by Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, which is scheduled to take place on Monday morning in Lenasia. Minister Sexwale will be accompanied by Gauteng Local Government and Housing MEC Ntombi Mekgwe and members of the portfolio committee on human settlements.
For further information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
E-mail: Motsamai.motlhaolwa@gauteng.gov.za
